Eye for dolls



Feb. 28, I939. M. VVVITTMANN EYE FOR DOLLS 2 Sheets-Sheet l OriginalFiled Nov. 27, 1.934

INVENTOR.

TTM/Q/V/V V ATTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1939. M n-TMANN v 2,148,888

EYE FOR DOLLS Original Filed Nov. 27, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.MQE/E VV/ T T'M/Q/VA/ ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 28, 1939 PATENT OFFICE EYEFOR DOLLS Marie Wittmann, New York, N. Y.

Application November 27, 1934, Serial No. 754,956 Renewed January 23,1936 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in dolls and like toy figures andhas particular reference to an eye construction therefor.

An object of the invention is to provide an im- 51- proved eye unit fordolls of simple and practical construction wherein the lid of the eyeopens or closes when the doll is moved to upright or recliningpositions.

Another object is to support an eyelid on the it): head of the doll incooperative relation therewith but unattached to an eye in said head,and to move said lid relative to the eye when the doll is placed in'upright or reclining positions.

Another object is to utilize a turning movement 151;: of the head of adoll relative to its body, after the latter has been placed in areclining posiion to close the eyes of the doll, to maintain said eyesclosed should said doll thereafter be raised to a'substantially verticalor upright position.

A further object is to provide means for preserving the open or closedcondition of the eyes. irrespective of subsequent changes in the postureof the doll body, and for subsequently releasing or restoring them.

A further object is to provide mechanism, operable by turning the headof the doll, for preserving the open or closed condition of the eyes,irrespective of subsequent changes in the posture of the doll body, andfor subsequently releasing or restoring them by turning the head of thedoll.

Another object is to provide mechanism for permitting the eyes of a dollto be open when the doll body ishorizontal or vertical; to be closedwhen horizontal or vertical, and also to be open when vertical andclosed when horizontal.

Another object is to provide an improved eye socket and mounting for theeye ball to facilitate assembly and support, as well as to render thestructure impervious to liquids.

The above and other objects will appear more clearly from the followingdetailed description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate preferred embodi- Figure 3 is a fragmentaryfront elevation of the dollseyes and associated mechanism.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the eyelidconstruction and the connecting element which is attached thereto forcontrolling the movement of the lid.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified lidconstruction.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section through the head of the dolland illustrating the operative position of a supporting member whichcarries the eyelid control mechanism.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the supporting member shown in Figure6.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing a different form ofsupporting member.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a different form ofcontrol mechanism for the eyelid, and

Figure 10 is a horizontal section through the head of the dollillustrating the manner in which the eyelids are maintained in closedposition when the head is turned relative to the body.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral lldesignates a portion of the head of a doll which may be made of rubberor any other desirable material. Molded or otherwise formed in said headare a pair of eye sockets l2 each providing a cavity for receiving aneye unit [3, and each socket having an opening M in the front thereofthrough which the eye is visible when not closed or covered by the lidI5. This lid I5 is made quite thin so as to be easily flexed and formsan extension of the brow portion N5 of the dolls head so as toeffectively simulate the human eyelid. As shown in Figure 4, the freeedge of the eyelid I5 is enlarged and provided with a cavity forreceiving arcuate tubular members ll co-extensive with said edge of theeyelid and provided with abutting flanges l8 between which are clampedthe eyelashes IS. The lid I5 is made so that when it is in open positionthe same will fold somewhat like the human eyelid to the full-lineposition in Figure I and when said lid is closed to the dotted-lineposition of said figure, by the mechanism presently to be described,said lid will be extended over the eye l3 so as to cover the same.

Preferably the eye unit I3 is supported within the socket 12 in spacedrelation thereto by interposing between said eye and the wall ofsaid'socket a cushion 20 which may be formed from a sheet of soft spongerubber or the like and which is provided with an extension]! at itscentral portion which fits into a recess 22 formed in the back of thesocket [2. When the eye unit I3 is placed .within the socket aprojection 23 on the back thereof extends into the recess 22 lined bythe portion 21 of the cushion. Thus, the eye I3 will, in efiect, befixed within the eye socket but due to the flexibility of the cushion 20said eye may have a very slight movement relative tothe socket, thustending to minimize the fixed staring appearance of the ordinary type ofdolls eyesz.

As illustrated, the opening I4 of the socket I2 is smaller than thediameter of the eye ball I3 so that when the parts are assembled, theperiphcry of opening I4 spreads, due to its elasticity as the ball isforced therethrough. It resumes its normal shape as illustrated in Fig.1, after the ball is lodged in position within the socket. It' is seenthat the socket and lining 20 cooperate to sustain the eye I3 in properposition by grip ping it, and in conjunction with projection 23, preventundesirable wabbling of the eye.

Assembly of the eyes is greatly facilitated,- since they can be snappedinto place through the front face, rather than being mounted from withinthe head, with its attendant difiiculties.

Furthermore, this arrangement prevents entry of water around the eye andthrough the socket into the head of the doll. The significance of thisfeature is apparent where children bathe their dolls. During suchoperations, water may be splashed into the eyes,,the head may beinadvertently immersed, or the child may actually use an eye dropper tosimulate treatment. Eventually the head of the doll may become filledwith water, unless measures are taken to prevent it. With the presentimprovements,- the socket I2 which is molded integrally with the head,and the rubber lining 20, exclude undesirable and damaging liquids fromentermg the doll head and body through the eye sockets.

The lids I5 of the eyes of the doll are adapted to be controlled by amechanism within the dolls head which is actuated by movements of thedoll body from a substantially upright or vertical position to areclining position, and vice versa. In the form illustrated in Figures 1and 2, the interior of the dolls head II between the eye sockets isprovided with an inwardly projecting enlargement 24 having a recess 25in its free end. A supportingimember illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 isattached to the enlargement 24 and, as best illustrated in Figure '7,this supporting member is formed from a single blank of material cut toform a base 26 which is adapted to be forced into the recess 25 toattach the supporting member to the projection 24. From the base extendthe arms 21 which for a portion of their lengths are in abuttingrelation. The free extremity of each arm is bifurcated to form clips 28which cooperate with the clips of the other arm to receive therebetweenthe medial portion of the rocker arm 29 which, for a major portion ofits length, is circular in cross section. From said medial portion ofthe arm 29 there projects laterally the extension 30 having the weight3| at its free end, said extension being movable be-' tween the clips 28at the free ends of the supporting member. E'aoh end of the rocker arm29 is flattened as indicated at 32 so as to be engaged by a connectingmember 33 the adjacent end of which is bent upon itself as indicated at34 to form an attaching means for the connecting member. Said member ispreferably made from an elongated strip of thin material of sufii clentrigidity to actuate the lid I5 to which it is connected when the weight3| swings from one position to another, and yet having enoughflexibility to facilitate its connection to its associated lid I5 whenassembling the mechanism. The connecting member 33 is curved throughoutits entire length, the rear portion 35 thereof conforming substantiallyin contour to the socket I2 while the front portion 36 of said member iscurved on an arc the center of which coincides substantially with thelongitudinal axis of the rockerarm 29. The free extremity of the frontportion 36 of the connecting member is attached in any suitable mannerto a flange I8 of the tubular member I? and said portion extendsupwardly between the eye I3 and lid I5 and projects through an opening31 formed in the eye socket I2. Thus, with the doll in a substantiallyvertical upright position, and the parts in the full-line position ofFigure 1, should the dolls body he moved toward a horizontal orreclining position the weight 3| will swing toward the dotted-lineposition, rocking the arm 29 about its axis and thereby translating suchmovement, through the connections 33; into a movement of the lids I5fromthe open folded position of Figure 1 toward their closed positionsshown in dotted lines. vious that when the doll'is raised from areclining position to an upright position, the consequent swinging ofthe weight 3! will reverse the action just described and withdraw thelids upwardly to their open positions.

In Figure 5 there is shown a modified form of lid construction in whichthe lid I5 is provided with an enlargement 38 along its free edge havinga slot 39 therein to receive the bent end 49 of the connecting member 33and also the eyelashes I9.

Figure 8 illustrates a diiferent type of supporting member from thatshown in Figures 6 and '7 andembodies a stud4I formed upon the innersurface of the head II between the eye sockets. The supporting member42, in this instance,- is of tubular formation with its inner end fittedover the stud 4| and its outer end provided with From the foregoing, itwill be ob-- 45 which suitably carries a supporting member 46 in whichis rockingly disposed the arm 41. The longitudinal axis of this armcoincides with the center of curvature of the lid-connecting member 48the outer end of which is attached to the free edge of the lid I5 whilethe inner end of said member is secured to the laterally projecting end49 of an arm 59 which extends from one end of the rocker arm 29, asimilar arm 59 being arranged at the other end of said rocker arm forattachment to the connecting member associated with the other eyelid.Depending from the medial portion of the rocker arm 41 is the extension5I which carries a weight similar .to the weight '3I so that. the rockerarm will be turned about its axis and thus transmit a swingingmovement-to the arms 50 to actuate'the' connecting members 48 to openand close the eyelids.

The invention also provides means for maintaining the eyelids of thedoll closed after the latter has been placed in a reclining position andthereafter raised to a substantially upright post.

tion. This result is accomplished by aturning movement of the headrelative to the body of the doll after the latter has been placed in areclining. position. .When in said reclining position the weight 3| .hasbeen swung toward the rear of the head I I and whenthe latter is turned,as shown in Figure 10, said weight will move into engagement with andpreferably behind a projection 52 carried by the body of the doll. Inthe present instance, this projection is shown as a rubber-tubing whichjoins the mouth of the doll with a neck-piece 53 fitted into the neckportion of the doll body as specifically disclosed in my co-pendingapplication, Serial Number 658,473, filed February 25, 1933. With theweight thus engaged with said projection, the same will be preventedfrom swinging forwardly when the doll is moved toward an uprightposition, as long as the head ll remains in its turned position.However, when said head is moved face forwardly again, said weight 3|will be moved away from the projection 52 and, when released fromengagement therewith, will swing forwardly and thus effect the raisingof the eyelids I5 to their open positions. visible subject matter theyhave been incorporated in applicants copending application Serial No.61,739, filed January 31, 1936.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a doll head having an eye socket, an eye therein, aflexible lid formed interally with said head and movable to open andclosed positions relative to said eye, a connection extending throughsaid socket and having an end joined to the free edge of said lid, and aswingable weight to which is joined the other end of Said connection sothat a swinging movement of said weight is translated into an opening orclosing movement of said lid.

2. In combination, a doll head having eye sockets therein, an eye ineach socket, a supporting member attached to said head between saidsockets, said supporting member formed from a blank of material cut toprovide a base portion adapted for attachment to said head, armsextending from said base portion and having their extremities formedinto cooperating clips, a weighted rocker arm having its intermediateportion engaged between said clips, a flexible lid for each eye movableto open and closed position relative thereto, and a connection betweeneach end of said rocker arm and one of said lids to move the latter whensaid arm is rocked.

3. In combination, a doll head, an eye therein, a lid for the eyeforming an integral part of said head and unattached to said eye, andmeans within said head and connected to said lid to move the samerelative to the eye.

4. In combination, a doll head, an eye fixed therein, a soft pliable lidfor the eye extending from and forming a part of the brow portion of thehead and having a free edge unattached to said eye, and means connectedto the free edge of said lid to move the same to open and closedpositions relative to saideye.

5. In combination, a doll head having an eye mounting, an eye supportedthereby, a lid formed integrally with said head and movable relative toand independently of said eye to open and closed positions, and means tomove said lid.

6. In combination, a doll head having an eye mounting, an eye supportedthereby, a lid formed integrally with said head and movable relative tosaid eye to open and closed positions and hav- As these featuresconstitute di ing a free edge, and means connected to the free edge ofsaid lid to move the same.

.7. In combination, a doll head having an eye mounting, an eye supportedthereby, a lid formed integrally with said head and made of softflexible material foldable and extensible relative to andindependentlyof said eye to open and closed positions, respectively, and means tomove said lid.

8. In combination, a doll head having an eye mounting forming anintegral part thereof, an eye fixed therein, a. soft flexible lidmovable relative to said eye to open and closed positions, a swingableweight carried by said head and a connection between said weight and lidand extending through said eye mounting to move said lid when saidweight is swung.

9. In combination, a doll head having eye sockets therein, an eye ineach socket, a supporting member attached to said head between saidsockets, a weighted rocker arm carried by said supporting member, aflexible and foldable lid for each eye formed integrally with said headand extending therefrom adjacent its associated socket, said lid beingmovable relative to its eye to open and closed positions and having afree edge, a connection between said rocker arm and each of said lidsfor moving the latter when said arm is rocked, a portion of saidconnection extending through said socket and joined to the free edge ofits lid, and being formed on an arc whose center coincides with saidrocker arm.

10. The combination with a doll body, a head turnable thereon and havinga mouth opening, and a flexible tubing connecting said mouth openingwith the interior of said body; of an eye closing and opening mechanismcarried by said head and having a portion releasably engageable withsaid tubing, after said eye has been closed and said head turned in onedirection to maintain said eye closed whether said body be in areclining or upright position.

11. The combination with a doll body, a head turnable thereon and havinga mouth opening, and a flexible tubing connecting said mouth openingwith the interior of said body; of an eye closing and opening mechanismcarried by said head and having a portion releasably engageable withsaid tubing, after said eye has been closed and said head turned in onedirection to maintain said eye closed whether said body be in areclining or upright position, said head being turnable in an oppositedirection to release said portion from engagement with said tubing toallow said mechanism to open said eye.

12. In combination, a doll head having an eye socket, an eye therein, aflexible folding lid secured to said head and movable to open and closedpositions relative to said eye, an eye operating connection disconnectedfrom said eye hav ing portions within and without said head, saidconnection having an end joined to said lid outside said head, and amovable weight joined to said connection within the head so thatmovement of said weight is translated into an opening or closingmovement of said lid.

13. In combination, a doll head, an eye therein, a folding lid for theeye secured to said head adapted to fold upon itself and unattached tosaid eye and means within said head and connected to said lid to movethe same relative to the eye.

14. In combination, a doll head having an eye mounting, an eye supportedthereby, a lid fixedly connected at one part with said head andunconnected with the eye and made of flexible open and closed positions;means providing an material foldable and extensible relative to saidenlargement along the free edge portion of said eye to open and-closedpositions, respectively, and lid for simulating the human eye lid,eyelashes means to move said lid. depending from said enlargement, andmeans 15. In combination, a doll head having an eye connected to saidlid for moving the same inde- 5 mounting, an eye supported thereby, aflexible pendently of the eye.

lid for said eye movable relative to saideye to I o MARIE WIT'I'MANN.

